The Differential Theory and Criminal Behavior

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explain the works of Edwin Sutherland and his theory of differential association. The differential association theory depicts a relationship between a societal structure and criminal behavior. ... Differential association emphasis how an individual' interactions with people can have an affect on criminal behavior. ... The culture conflict is one of the three major influences to Sutherland's Differential Association theory. ... When trying to devise the theory of differential association Sutherland referenced theories from when he was at the...

• Word Count: 5291
• Approx Pages: 21
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Defining Differential Association According to Edwin Sutherland, Differential Association Theory is "the specific causal process in the development of systematic criminal behavior". ... A person who is brought up to be a criminal, becomes a criminal. ... Social learning theory has not had the same influence that differential association has on sociological theories, but it can be seen put into practice in prevention techniques used by the criminal justice system. ... The theory of differential association was intended as a comprehensive explanation of criminal and some noncriminal behavior....

• Word Count: 2164
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

One important theory was first offered nearly three-quarters of a century ago by Edwin Sutherland, the theory of differential association. ... The theory of Differential Association states that deviant behavior is largely the result of associating with other persons whose behavior is deviant. ... Differential Association is a learning theory, which centers on nine beliefs by which individuals come to commit criminal acts. 1. ... Some criticized Sutherland's differential association theory. ... This misinterprets the theory's proposition that criminal behavior is learned. ...

• Word Count: 2164
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

A summary of Sutherlands, Differential Association theory is included to explain this study. ... Hate Crimes Involving Children and the Differential Association Theory A hate crime is any bias motivated criminal incident committed against an individual or group because of their race, sex, ethnicity, disability, and/or beliefs. ... The theory that best explains these crimes, is Sutherland's Differential Association Theory. Sutherland believes that criminal behavior is learned through interaction and communication with others. ... They learn it through association with others,...

• Word Count: 1661
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Criminal behavior is learned in the same way as any other behavior. Differential association is one of the leading reasons why people chose to do such criminal acts. ... According to the differential association theory, her age at the time of the crime (16) had a major effect on how she became involved with the robbery. The Differential association theory suggests that younger people are easier to influence than older people therefore that is one of the reasons why she went along with the robbery. ... The Differential association theory also suggests that young people are vulnerable and more s...

• Word Count: 363
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

Objective 1: Assess Southland's "differential association" theory in relation to professional thieves specializing in the robbery of drug stores. Some social and criminal behavior is learned from interaction with others or associations. ... By associating with deviant people criminal behavior, motive and technique are learned. Criminal behavior is not inherited. ... The motive, drive and the of general need for the criminal behavior for example personal use of the drugs stolen from the robbery of the drug stores....

• Word Count: 368
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Akers and Burgess propose that through differential association, differential reinforcement, imitation, and cognitive definitions, young minds learn to either avoid or repeat deviant or delinquent behaviors. ... Differential reinforcement is characterized as either reinforcements or punishments of a given behavior. ... Similar to differential reinforcement, cognitive definitions are feelings associated with certain behaviors. ... Smoking is not a criminal act by itself; nonetheless, adolescent smoking is considered a deviant behavior and often associated with drug use and delinquency. ... The ...

• Word Count: 1862
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The theory of Differential Association states that deviant behavior is largely the result of associating with other persons whose behavior is deviant. ... Differential Association is a learning theory, which centers on nine beliefs by which individuals come to commit criminal acts. 1. ... Some criticized Sutherland's differential association theory. ... This misinterprets the theories proposition that criminal behavior is learned. Through differential association others argued that Sutherland's theory was a cultural deviance theory as a way of showing that it made wrong presumpti...

• Word Count: 2167
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Cultural Deviance theories failed to explain the criminal behavior of Frank. The cultural deviance theories would state that a criminal behavior is a result of the environment. The three major theories are social disorganization, differential association, and cultural conflict. ... Sutherland proposed his theory of Differential Association. ... The previous theory focused on the learning of criminality but the Culture Conflict theory looked at the source of this criminal behavior. ...

• Word Count: 1838
• Approx Pages: 7